KATHMANDU: A search and rescue operation for the four South Korean trekkers and three Nepali guides missing after being struck by an avalanche in northwest Nepal could take weeks due to bad weather, rescuers said on Sunday (Jan 19).
The area of Friday's disaster lies along the popular Annapurna trekking route, about 150km northwest of the capital Kathmandu.
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Tourism Department official Mira Acharya said seven rescuers from the Trekking Agents' Association of Nepal had reached the site with rescue equipment but could not begin the search due to new avalanches and rains.
"They are waiting for the weather to clear to start looking for the missing tourists," Acharya told Reuters, estimating the search operation could take 20 days.
READ: Heavy snow hampers search for missing South Korean, Nepal trekkers
One of the rescuers, Bijay K C, said that even if the weather cleared it would take several weeks for the snow to melt, hampering the overall operation.
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Mount Annapurna is the world's 10th highest mountain at 8,091m. Its base camp is known for its spectacular beauty and thousands of trekkers go there every year.
The incident comes as the annual trekking season in Nepal, home to eight of the worlds 14 highest mounRead More – Source
KATHMANDU: A search and rescue operation for the four South Korean trekkers and three Nepali guides missing after being struck by an avalanche in northwest Nepal could take weeks due to bad weather, rescuers said on Sunday (Jan 19).
The area of Friday's disaster lies along the popular Annapurna trekking route, about 150km northwest of the capital Kathmandu.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Tourism Department official Mira Acharya said seven rescuers from the Trekking Agents' Association of Nepal had reached the site with rescue equipment but could not begin the search due to new avalanches and rains.
"They are waiting for the weather to clear to start looking for the missing tourists," Acharya told Reuters, estimating the search operation could take 20 days.
READ: Heavy snow hampers search for missing South Korean, Nepal trekkers
One of the rescuers, Bijay K C, said that even if the weather cleared it would take several weeks for the snow to melt, hampering the overall operation.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Mount Annapurna is the world's 10th highest mountain at 8,091m. Its base camp is known for its spectacular beauty and thousands of trekkers go there every year.
The incident comes as the annual trekking season in Nepal, home to eight of the worlds 14 highest mounRead More – Source
